The Falcon and the Snowman

Starring:Timothy Hutton, Sean Penn, Pat Hingle, Joyce Van Patten, Rob Reed, Rob Newell, Karen West (II), Art Camacho, Annie Kozuch, Richard A. Dysart, Priscilla Pointer, Chris Makepeace, Dorian Harewood, Mady Kaplan, Macon McCalman, Jerry Hardin, Nicholas Pryor, Betty Lou Henson, Stanley Grover, Bob Arbogast
Director: John Schlesinger
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com essential video

Timothy Hutton and Sean Penn play two young men from wealthy families who sell government secrets to the Russians. Based on the true story of Christopher Boyce (Hutton) and Daulton Lee (Penn), this is sometimes edgy, occasionally humorous, and ultimately heartbreaking. Boyce, whose job it is to guard top-secret government papers, becomes disillusioned with the United States and decides to make a deal with the Soviets. His partner in espionage is propelled by less-ideal reasons for his acts, as Penn plays a grungy drug addict in it for the money. An intelligent script is matched on two counts: by John Schlesinger's tight direction and by provocative performances by both actors. --Rochelle O'Gorman

Description

Academy AwardÂ(r) winners* Timothy Hutton (Ordinary People) and Sean Penn (Dead Man Walking) deliver "superb performances" (Variety) in a true-story spy thriller that is "scathing, arresting" (The New York Times) and laced with white-knuckle excitement. From OscarÂ(r) winners** John Schlesinger (Midnight Cowboy) and Steven Zaillian (Schindler's List), the film blows the lid off the modern-day American dream with its riveting story of twoyoung men of privilege, money and ambition who end up selling out their country, ruining their families and destroying their lives. Chris Boyce (Hutton) works a low-level job at a defense plant where he uncovers documents that prove that the CIA is secretly coercing foreign governments. Heconfides in his conniving, fast-talking friend, Andrew Daulton Lee (Penn), a reckless drug dealer and user, who convinces him to sell this information to the Soviets for big bucks. Lee boldly cuts a deal with the KGB, but soon the stakes spin out of control as the Soviets up the ante, Lee descends further into drug abuse and the CIA prepares to take the informants down! *Hutton: 1980, Supporting Actor, Ordinary People; Penn: 2003, Actor, Mystic River **Schlesinger: Director, Midnight Cowboy (1969); Zaillian: Writing, Schindler's List (1993)

Customer Reviews:

Somber mood setting, espiniage drama. .......2007-07-01

Two close boyhood friends grow up and apart. One gets hired at a government agency that is responsible for encryption technology. The other turns into a smalltime hood, drug addict. Disillusioned with his work and life, one begins to sell government secrets to the soviets via his drug addicted friend. The story gets interesting as the drug addicted friend self destructs. This movie has a fantastic soundtrack and the acting is top level. I recommend it with 5 stars.

Interesting Look at a Complex True Story.......2007-02-20

The book by the same name allows you to understand a bit more about the characters, but this is a well done film that does bring the story to life. Not all scenes are gripping, but the overall story is thought provoking. Christopher Boyce was either naive or cunning when he began his saga. By the time he went to prison he was simply a well-manipulated informer. The book and this film show that transformation well.

Read the follow-up book, The Flight of the Falcon about Christopher Boyce's escape from prison, and recapture. It would make an even better movie I think. Incidentally, when Daulton Lee got out of prison in 1998, Sean Penn hired him as part of his staff. Christopher Boyce was released a few years ago.

Sean Penn's first great launch!.......2006-05-02

Two adolescents dare to play hard with a Top Security dossier. In their infinite immaturity, they think it is a piece of cake to get in and get out from this circle of espionage and betrayal. But this is far to be a simple game, once you cross the line forget it; you are inside and there is no way out; it's a real deep end where you will have t assume your own responsibilities of your own decisions. It is not a simple choice for make some money and then get out.

So once the first step has been done they will begin to deal with a double pressure of both sides; conspiracy and betrayal for one and major information requirements for the other.

A fascinating exploration about the final consequences of a trivial decision that will become for them a true mortal boomerang.

John Schlessinger with his firm hand made an unforgettable and high caliber tension thriller with a very young Sean Penn and the consecrated Timothy Hutton .

Sean Penn Steals the Show in a Story of Espionage.......2006-02-07

A young Sean Penn steals the show from Timothy Hutton in a based-on-real-life story of two young California men who get in over their heads spying for the Soviets. Look for Chris Makepeace as Penn's younger brother.

reviews ?.......2005-03-29

i saw this for a good price. i checked for reviews. there were all theese great reviews. whatever! the movie has pretty
much no action. the sound video actin is good, but its lonngg
and sloowww. there was some good nudity. that is the only thing keepin me from totally considering this as a loss. ok movie jus dont expect action jus anticipate the nudity cause that is the only thing interesting besides the falcon in this movie. i love falcons, so there you go. i think of it as good enough to keep thats it. maybe ill pop it in to watch a long slow movie with a girlfriend. take this as the downside review
so all theese other reviews don fool you into thinking this movie is all that

Average customer rating:

The Falcon and the Snowman [Region 2]
Starring: Timothy Hutton , Sean Penn , Pat Hingle , Joyce Van Patten , and Rob Reed
Director: John Schlesinger
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005TN8Q

Average customer rating:

Somber mood setting, espiniage drama.
Interesting Look at a Complex True Story
Sean Penn's first great launch!
Sean Penn Steals the Show in a Story of Espionage
reviews ?

The Falcon and the Snowman [Region 2]
Starring: Timothy Hutton , Sean Penn , Pat Hingle , Joyce Van Patten , and Rob Reed
Director: John Schlesinger
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Thrillers | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video